ANALYSIS KEY ISSUES FOR REDS

■ THREE IN A ROW?

OLE Gunnar Solskjaer was a mere month into his caretaker reign the last time United secured three successive victories in the Premier League. That United failed to do so last month against Everton, having vanquished Tottenham Hotspur and City, was about as much of a surprise as the fireworks at midnight.

The Reds have struggled to go on anything remotely resembling a run – their longest winning ‘streak’ this season is three and those October and December sequences were diluted by Europa League victories.

■ MORE EMIRATES EMBRACES?

THAT United lost on their last fixture at Arsenal barely glosses over their favourable record at the Emirates Stadium. The Reds were impressive in their 2-0 reverse in March – Solskjaer’s first domestic defeat – and streetwise in the clinical FA Cup fourth round triumph last year.

The umpteen saves David de Gea made two seasons ago were embellished by incisive counter-attacks that showcased the best of United at the post-Highbury Arsenal. They have won 3-1 at the stadium on four occasions and their whippersnapper attackers are well rested to expose Arsenal’s defenders.

■ DOES PEREIRA STAY A STARTER?

DECEMBER ended as well as it began badly for Andreas Pereira. His snapping at Jack Grealish’s ankles seems distant after he mimicked Kevin de Bruyne with that curved pass for Anthony Martial at Burnley.

Pereira nor Jesse Lingard are the solution to United’s playmaker problem and the role switches between them like a game of pass the parcel. Pereira has it back in his hands after Lingard’s profligacy at Watford and arguably deserves to keep it at Arsenal.

Lingard, though, has four goals in six starts against Arsenal. And three in two at the Emirates, but went through 2019 without a league goal or assist.